Healthy Scratch

Healthy Scratch

Healthy Scratch

Romans 12:6-8 – Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:15-16 – If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.

Luke 6:46 – Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Revelation 3:16 – So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

A healthy scratch is an uninjured player on the roster who does not dress for a game. They have the ability to play, but are put on the sidelines. On a hockey team, players have different roles and abilities that they bring to the table – players understand they best serve their team by playing their role, and are excited to add their part. Every player wants to contribute to the team’s goal, usually winning a championship. No hockey player wants to be a healthy scratch.

Christians are a part of a team (see past Penalty Kill, Team of Christ), and the goal we pursue is the Kingdom of God. God is doing a radical, unbelievable work in changing lives for eternity, and for some reason has blessed us with the ability to be a part of it (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:20). This prize we pursue doesn’t fade like hockey championships, but is imperishable (1 Corinthians 9:25) – something we’ll enjoy forever. Just as Paul writes, how much more should we work at this than any athlete works towards a temporary reward? And yet many in the church put themselves on the sidelines, make themselves a healthy scratch.

Everyone who is in Christ Jesus has a role to play in building the Kingdom of God. Not everyone is a preacher or an evangelist - there are many different roles as we see in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-12, but everyone has one that is to be used for the good of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7). And just because you’re not a preacher, doesn’t mean you’re not a part of the team - 1 Corinthians 12:15 – If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. In hockey, players find ways to make themselves valuable to the team – how much more so should members of the church?

At Christian Cup X FCA Hockey Staff member and current Pro Gary Steffes shared how as an unbeliever being a healthy scratch rocked his world. Later in the weekend another staff member, David Evans, challenged everyone on which team they played for, ‘team world’ or ‘team Christ’. Those who are on team Christ should have an even deeper reaction to being a healthy scratch on God’s team than Gary did in being a healthy scratch for a college team. If you’re on His team, which position are you playing?

What gifts do you have that you can use to build the Kingdom of God?
What are some things that prevent you from using these gifts?

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Wed, April 10, 2019 @ 7:30 AM

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